Chapter 3

Seth sat beside Helen's bed, absently rubbing his wrist. The bracelet was gone, and the empty space around his wrist felt strangely bare.

He found himself staring into space.

Helen's anesthetic had just worn off, and her face was as pale as a sheet.

"Seth, is something wrong?"

"It's nothing." He snapped back to his senses and pulled the blanket higher over her. "Get some rest."

"What happened to your bracelet? Didn't you say you'd worn it since you were a child?"

He froze.

"It broke while I was working," he said, forcing a smile. "I'll look for it when things settle down."

Helen reached for his hand. "Then I'll make you a new one. Once my leg gets better, I'll make you an even nicer one."

Seth held her hand gently and replied, "Focus on getting better for now. Don't worry about anything else."

Once Helen had fallen asleep, Seth stepped into the hallway and dialed my number.

The call wouldn't go through. He tried texting me, only to realize I'd blocked him.

He stared at the screen, a tightness settling in his chest.

He called his assistant, Lucas Zoeller, over and tossed him the phone.

"Bring her back," he ordered. "I don't care how you do it."

…

At the airport, two men stopped me at the security checkpoint.

One snatched my boarding pass while the other pulled my suitcase away. People nearby turned to stare, and some even pulled out their phones to film.

"What are you doing?"

One of the bodyguards started a video call with Seth and shoved the phone in front of my face.

Seth appeared on the screen.

"Natasha, you've got some nerve. How dare you block me?"

I stared at him. "Seth, I'm leaving. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

He suddenly smiled, his voice softening.

"Nat, enough. Come back first. I just had the kitchen make your favorite soup."

I nearly gagged. "Seth, drop the act!"

His expression darkened.

Just as he was about to say something, Helen's voice came from the other side of the call.

"Seth, who is it? Who are you talking to?"

"A friend," he replied. "Go back to sleep."

I sneered. "A friend? Seth, you're pathetic."

That finally made him drop the pretense.

"Natasha, Helen needs a blood transfusion right now," he said, his gaze turning cold. "You both have the same blood type—Rh-negative. If something happens to her, I won't forgive you."

I paused for a second, then laughed.

"Are you treating me like your personal blood bank? You expect me to show up whenever you need blood for the woman you've been keeping on the side?

"Seth, you've got some nerve."

"Just come back," he said, taking a deep breath. "If you refuse, I'll make sure you can't even leave this airport."

The moment he finished speaking, the two bodyguards grabbed me from either side. My suitcase hit the floor, spilling my belongings everywhere. Camera shutters went off around us.

"Look, that guy's here to drag his own wife back."

"Bet he caught her cheating. What a disgrace."

They dragged me away while Seth's tender voice came through the phone.

"Helen, don't be scared. I've already sent someone to find the blood. Just hold on a little longer."

I couldn't believe how gentle he sounded.

…

Outside the hospital room, two men in black forced me down onto a bench.

By the time Seth walked out, I'd already been sitting there for two hours. He strode up to me, his gaze cold with disdain.

"Look at you. You've gotten pretty bold," he said with a sneer. "Can't believe you actually tried to run away."

I didn't bother to look at him.

"Seth, you had these men drag me all the way from the airport. What exactly do you want?"

Before he could say anything, a doctor hurried over. "Mr. Jerrell, the patient's condition is deteriorating. If we can't get enough blood soon, we may have to amputate her leg."

Seth immediately turned toward me.

"Natasha, give her your blood."

My face went pale. "Seth, you know I have anemia! I can't donate that much blood!"

He grabbed my wrist, his grip frighteningly tight. "If she loses her leg, it'll ruin her life!"

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Please, I'm begging you," he gritted out, his eyes bloodshot. "Just give the blood first. When it's done, I'll let you go. I'll sign the divorce papers. I'll give you part of my shares. Name your price."

I let out a bitter laugh, tears burning in my eyes.

"Seth, do you remember what today is?"

He froze.

"It's our tenth wedding anniversary," I said.

I pulled my wrist free, and for the first time, I saw his expression crack slightly.

But then Helen's sob came from inside the room.

"Seth, my leg hurts so much. Am I going to die?"

Seth immediately swerved toward her. He didn't look at me again.

"Take her to the transfusion unit and have them draw 800 milliliters," he ordered, turning to the men beside him instead. "If she refuses, hold her down and do it anyway."

The two men grabbed my arms again.

"Seth!" I screamed. "I could die!"

He stood with his back to me, as though he hadn't heard a word.

When we reached the transfusion unit, a nurse stopped him and handed him the consent form. He grabbed the pen and signed without hesitation.

His handwriting was still the same as it had been ten years ago, when he'd pursued me and filled pages with love letters.

"Draw the blood."

The needle pierced my arm, and the first bag slowly began to fill.

Seth stood in the doorway, looking everywhere but at me.